U.S. Embassy responds to arson at Inter TV channel

The U.S. diplomats have stressed that any physical attack on media is unacceptable.

Photo from UNIAN

"Any physical attack on a media outlet is unacceptable. We support thorough investigation into arson at Inter, are following closely," the Embassy of the United States in Ukraine tweeted.

As UNIAN reported earlier, there was a fire at the premises of Ukraine's Inter TV channel on 26 Shchuseva street in Kyiv (the office of National Information Systems, which produces TV news programs “Novosti”, “Podrobnosti”, and “Podrobnosti Nedeli”.

Read alsoUkraine's Inter TV channel survives two arson attempts, no deaths reported (Photos)The incident was preceded by a rally outside the building with its participants having set car tires ablaze. According to the State Emergency Service, An external source of ignition brought [into the building] had caused a fire on the first floor on an area of about 10 square meters and on the second floor on an area of 20 square meters. Firefighters evacuated 30 people from the building. "After a second attempt to bring an external source of ignition, premises on the second floor on an area of 60 square meters caught fire at about 17:00. The repeat fire outbreak was limited by firefighters at 17:33 and put out at 18:01.

On September 5, the rally continued outside Inter Headquarters on Dmytrivska Street, involving some 100 participants, according to the rally’s coordinator, Oleksiy Serdyuk, who is a fighter from St Mary battalion. About 50 car tires were piled up outside the front drive passage to the building. Seven tents have been set up later.